Priyanka Chopra has a smooth comeback for people who ask her racist questions about India

Because PC doesn't stand for politically correct

The questions about whether elephants still roam the city streets. The patronising appreciation for how good your English is. The unsolicited Appu impersonation.

As the first Indian woman to headline a TV show in the US, Priyanka Chopra gets more of her fair share of this subtle racism. But she’s come up with a pretty snappy response to it.

In her interview for Conde Nast Traveller — she fronts the magazine’s 6th anniversary edition — Priyanka tells writer Suketu Mehta that she left America as a young girl because she was subjected to racism, including being called “curry”. But now, “I tell young kids that they have to take matters into their own hands and stand up for their rights, not get bullied. Even now, while I am working in America, I get asked so many stupid questions.”

“For example: ‘Oh my God, Bollywood! So are you going to break into a dance?’ I want to respond with ‘Oh my god, America! Does that mean a superhero is going to come to rescue me?'”

Clearly frustrated with the silliness, Priyanka adds, “Every country has its own stereotypes. The stereotypes about Indian films is that we always break into song and dance. The stereotype about Hollywood films is that there is always a superhero. And neither is strictly true. The thing I don’t get is why can’t we focus on understanding each other. Educating ourselves about each other.”